Curriculum

Spring-Mar’s curriculum is based upon our “learning through play” philosophy. Our goals are set to help enhance self-esteem and the cognitive and emotional growth of our children. Our environment fosters curiosity, language opportunities, creativity and socialization. Our students discover and learn through first-hand experiences that stress process over product because children learn best through the environment, not through direct instruction. We prepare our students for successful careers in elementary school and beyond!

Classroom Time

Children are grouped into classes by age and spend a part of their day within the classroom. Spring-Mar strives to develop a community of friends that learn and play together, sharing and caring for one another. The children learn to function in a group setting, expressing their ideas, listening to their friends and teacher, and responding appropriately. During circle time, the teacher has the opportunity to present new concepts targeted to the age and ability of the class. The children are allowed to choose among several play activities that focus on their emerging skills.

Center Time, a Special Part of Our Day

During this time, children have the opportunity to choose where they would like to play and what games and projects they are developmentally ready to pursue. Art projects, large motor activities, and tactile exploration (sand, water, etc.) are among activities provided. Children will gravitate to centers that serve their needs according to their stage of development.

Children learn to make choices, solve problems and gain independence. They begin to learn time management skills, to take responsibility for their own actions, and to understand the consequences of their decisions.

Learning with Manipulatives (Table Games, Puzzles, etc.)

Through the exploration of various kinds of manipulatives, working either individually or with their peers, children develop fine motor coordination, independent learning, visual and spatial awareness, knowledge of colors and shapes, and social skills.

Learning in Housekeeping

Children progress from solitary to cooperative play and from practice play to symbolic play. Social skills include pretending, cooperation, role-playing, communication, structuring roles, and actions. Cognitive skills include memory, matching, motor skills, sequencing, use of symbols, classifying, early writing, problem-solving, and verbal skills. Motor skills include dressing up and use of props and utensils. Prop boxes integrate knowledge from field trips and themes.

Learning with Art

Learning through art develops motor skills related to writing, and encourages self expression and confidence. Children are urged to do creative wiring (through dictation) as they describe the stories behind their pictures.
Development proceeds from broad strokes of color to planned representational art. Children observe the effects of mixing colors, experiment with various textures and explore changes through paint and play-dough. The process is valued over the product, thereby fostering the childs self-concept and accepting the childs stage of development.

Music

The aim of the Music Program is first to have fun and create a great learning experience. Beginning with music recognition: Name That Tune, and high-low, and fast-slow the children grow confident in their abilities and are ready to do simple song writing and then lyric changes to accompany classroom themes and holidays. Simple mini-plays are rehearsed and then acted out.

Easy dances, signs, and motions are introduced throughout the year.

Each class time ends with a guess the instrument segment and includes a demonstration of how the instrument works and what is sounds like. Each child may help make music on the instrument. Sometimes homemade instruments and rhythm band instruments are played. The class is intended to foster a love of music and instruments and lead them to discover more.

Movement

The Movement curriculum is designed to give children the opportunity to develop their motor skills, as well as to express themselves physically. Generally, the activities follow them and combine a variety of movement skills such as hopping, skipping, galloping, balancing, rolling, throwing, and catching.

Movement concepts such as slow and fast, low and high, forward and backward are also incorporated into each session. Creative movement, where the children use their imaginations as well as their bodies, involves the use of music, storytelling, and/or props such as scarves and a parachute. Regardless of the activity or theme, the emphasis is always on participation, cooperation, and of course, having fun!

Field Trips and Visitors

All classes enjoy “in-house” field trips each year. Examples of programs we have enjoyed in the past include Reptile and Raptor groups, military installations, and firefighters. Our older classes also have parent-chaperoned field trips to places like the Fire Station, restaurants, animal farms, and the transfer station!